We are opening !
At last, after much thought and preparation the library will open its doors to our loyal readers on Tuesday 7th September at 10.00am
Most of our lovely volunteers are still with us and will be behind the counter with their friendly smile, plus a number of new recruits.
There will be a sneeze screen on the counter, with a large bottle of hand sanitiser, and we would ask that you wear a mask when entering the library and we will try and keep visitor numbers at two adults or one family group at any one time.
We can now take card payments for any money you have to pay us.
So don’t delay, come and browse some of the amazing books that Hetty has been buying – we want to see them flying off the shelves !
For the moment we will not be running children’s activities (see more below) and the book club will meet on Zoom. Also, we are restricting our user computers to very short sessions to enable you to print your documents – a full printing service will be available.
For those users who feel they are not quite ready to enter the library we will still run our “click & collect” service, so do keep on sending us your orders.

Join the Wild World Heroes this summer with the Summer Reading Challenge

Our library might be closed, but through our “Click & Collect” scheme we will once more be running the summer reading challenge for all children up to the age of 12, with all the usual prizes including stickers, book mark, fridge magnet, a certificate & medal ! plus the chance to win one of 15 paint your own wooden bug houses. Entry is free !

The Summer Reading Challenge is an annual event. Children are encouraged to read six (or more) books of their choice during the summer holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate for every child who completes the Challenge.

What’s the theme for 2021?

Go wild for reading with the Summer Reading Challenge! For this year’s Challenge The Reading Agency has partnered with WWF to create ‘Wild World Heroes’ which will inspire children to take action for nature and the environment. Join the Wild World Heroes for an exciting adventure in the fictional town of ‘Wilderville’. Through reading books, collecting rewards and learning all about our planet, Challenge participants will help the Heroes make Wilderville a greener place to live. With exclusive incentives to collect and plenty of brilliant books to enjoy, the Challenge is the perfect summer activity to build young readers’ skills and confidence during the long break from school.

Who can take part?

• The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children aged up to 12 years and is designed for all reading interests and abilities.

How do children sign up?

• Joining in with the Summer Reading Challenge is easy and free. If you are ordering books by email, please lets us know the children that are taking part so that we can register them. If you send us a paper order form then please tell us on the form. When you return books let us know which books each child has read so that we can prepare their prizes with your next order (they get prizes for ever two books they read) All children welcome – if you are not a member we will enrol you !
• As well as registering with us, children can sign up and create their own profile at https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/news/general/wild-world-heroes-intro

What books can children read?

• They can read anything that makes them happy – whether stories, picture books, poetry or jokes. Sharing a book with a parent or carer is fine as well.

Sing Song time recorded at Garden Suburb Community Library
Virginia has run an amazingly successful Sing Song Time at Garden Suburb Community Library on Thursdays, for a number of years

Especially for the many children confined to their homes for the foreseeable future Virginia recorded a special Sing Song Time just for you !

You can access it here: Sing Song time recorded at Garden Suburb Community Library

For those reading this who are not members of the library, it is based in a very special area – Hampstead Garden Suburb in North West London. The library is run by 40 volunteers.

Virginia would be delighted if you would pass this link on to friends and family and do post it on social media

Virginia would also love to receive feedback either by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on through Facebook @gardensuburbcommunitylibrary or Twitter @HGScLibrary

FREE TODDLER FUN AT THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY (suspended for the moment - we will be back!)

On Thursdays we run two sessions of Sing Song Time, 10 - 10:30am and 10:45 to 11:15am. Sing Song Time is a first library activity for under threes and their carers.  The aim is for the children to join in the singing, as well as have fun. We sing familiar songs every week and the children are encouraged to join in both the music and movement, gradually building up their confidence.

On Tuesday we run Story / Song Time from 10:15 to 10:45am. We welcome toddlers and their carers into a warm, friendly group. We provide rhythm and rhyme making activities alongside both new and familiar songs, and an introduction into the world of exciting and boundless stories beyond home provision.

Come and join us for some fun with your little ones !